Pay for son's gym

[2gbmum]

Son wants me to pay for his gym membership. He's 17 and still at school. He's got a spare tyre.

I say get running around those streets and show me you're serious then I might think about it.

He says all his mates go to the gym and their parents pay for it. Do they? Do you?

[squarebear]

My stepdaughter goes to the gym but she pays for it. I agree with you, get him to run up and down the streets if he wants to tone up.

[Mamyalynne]

Of course you don`t pay for it, there are many ways for free he could tone up, has he a bicycle?

[langara]

Does he have pocket money, perhaps you could go halves with gym fees. My son worked for everything he wanted i.e. paper round and working on a golf range, filling up ball machines etc.

[China Doll]

If it's a spare tyre in the tummy area then he'll have to diet as well so he could also show committment to the cause by losing weight that way too. I think if you've fat in that area toning alone won't help, the weight also has to be lost.

[andy-hughes]

I would be delighted to pay for his gym membership.

In return, he can cut the lawns, do the dishes, wash the car(s), do some shopping, clean his room once a week ... the list is endless.

Your son is never to learn that nothing is for nothing - it's the rule out there in the big wide world, and one he is best getting used to at home, before he has to go out there and face it for real.

[Greedyfly]

I wouldnt pay for it - if he wants to go he can get a job and pay for it lol. I always paid my way when I was a teen.

[jake-the-peg]

I'd pay for it if I thought my son would keep it up

Getting a good exercise habit is as much an investment for later life as an education.

There's a matter of your finances of course but if he said he was faling behind in school and would like extra lessons would you pay for it?

I would, and I don't see exercise as any different

[mollykins]

my school has a gym it opens to the public but pupils and staff get in for free.

[supersuezy24]

I'd question why he wants to join..Is it to tone up and lose weight or does he just wanna go because his mates do?
Saying that his friends parents pay for it could just be him trying to win you around to the idea?

[LoftyLottie]

His doesn't need to go to a gym to keep fit. He can walk, run, cycle, swim, play football or other sports and eat sensibly. I don't see gyms as places for young fit youths. The gym culture gets on my nerves. It's OK for some, but there are other far more exciting and sociable way to get fit.

There is no excuse for a 17 year old to have a spare tyre!!

[Eve]

Is it something to do with the contract? I'm guessing he won't be able to enter into one, as most gyms demand, until he is 18.

Very dangerous for you though if you have to sign up for a set minimum term then he doesn't go!

He's old enough to be able to work to pay for it himself if he wants it enough as there are plenty of cheaper alternatives.

[flitty]

Some doctors surgeries can prescribe a course at a gym for unfit or overweight people where it would be beneficial to their health to do so. Tis certainly happens where I live.